Newly grown needles on Western Larch

Curious About … Western Larch Green-Up?

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April 8, 2020 is our state’s day to celebrate trees, proclaimed by Governor Inslee as Washington’s Arbor Day. As you walk in your neighborhoods or drive to the grocery store, watch for the bright spring green starting to show on the bare brown stems of western larch (Larix occidentalis). Many home landscapes in North Central Washington include our Pacific NW western larch (or the related European species). Larches are our only native conifers that are deciduous. Read another of my blog posts, about larch needles turning golden in the fall, falling off, with new needles growing each spring.

Ripening female cones on western larch
Ripening female cones on western larch
Western larch growing in a Wenatchee yard
30-year old western larch growing in a Wenatchee yard

If you take a close look at a western larch branch in spring, you’ll see both male and female cones along with emerging clusters of needles. Conifers rely on the wind to transport pollen from the male cone to the female cones.

Western larch branch with three kinds of buds: 5 male cones, 1 female cone with green bracts, and 7 needle clusters
Western larch branch with three kinds of buds: 5 male cones, 1 female cone with green bracts, and 7 needle clusters

Once we can leave our homes, travelers can find western larch in forests at Blewitt Pass, Mission Ridge Ski Area, or on USFS trails in the Mission Creek, Icicle Creek, Chiwawa River, and Entiat River drainages. A small isolated grove is on the western-facing summit of Horse Lake Mountain, accessible to hikers from the newly developed USFS trailhead in Number Two Canyon. Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance is partnering with the USFS for the construction of trails.

Western larch forest at MIssion Ridge at 6600"
Western larch forest at MIssion Ridge at 6600″

I make an annual pilgrimage to see “Gus,” the largest western larch tree in the world. It is in the USFS protected Jim Girand Memorial Grove near Seeley Lake, Montana. The National Registry of Champion Trees considers “Gus” to be biggest of its kind, with records keep by American Forests.

Gus is the largest western larch the world and is believed to have survived at least 40 wildfires over its lifetime
Gus is the largest western larch the world and is believed to have survived at least 40 wildfires over its lifetime
Gus is over 1000 years old & 153' tall , taller than the Statue of Liberty. Near the ground it is 22' 9" in circumference and is 7'3' in diameter.
Gus is over 1000 years old & 153′ tall , taller than the Statue of Liberty. Near the ground it is 22′ 9″ in circumference and is 7’3′ in diameter.

If you’d like to start learning to identify more of Washington’s native conifer trees, this bibliography or resource webpage can get you started. A free phone app Trees Pacific NW  (for Apple and Android) is a a photo-filled field identification guide for people of all ages. The Gymnosperm Database technical information on all native conifer species worldwide.

The USFS conducts periodic prescribed burns to reduce ground fuels in the Girard Grove.
The USFS conducts periodic prescribed burns to reduce ground fuels in the Girard Grove.

The USFS conducts low-intensity prescribed burns in the 60-acre Girard Grove Preserve to minimize a build up of fuels on the forest floor to prevent a future high-intensity fire that could kill the tree crowns. Western larch is adapted to resist damage by wildfire with thick insulating bark and a lower trunk that is branch-free. Learn more about its adaptations to fire here.